'We're closer to the end': Lawmakers signal some progress in bipartisan talks to end shutdown

"A bipartisan group of lawmakers said on Tuesday they have made slight progress toward ending the government shutdown, which is poised to become the longest in U.S. history after another failed vote will drag it into its 36th day. Senators are getting closer to an agreement on a package of full-year appropriations bills for certain agencies and an accompanying stopgap bill to reopen the rest of government until a to-be-determined date."

""I don't want to characterize conversations," Peters said. "We're in a sensitive time right now. It's important to say we're still talking and hopefully progress will be made." In a note of barely perceptible optimism, Sen. Mark Kelly, D- Ariz., said the Senate has inched closer to a resolution. "Maybe we're moving." Kelly said. "We're closer to the end of this than we are to the beginning.""

"The senators are considering three full-year appropriations bills-to fund the Veterans Affairs Department, the Agriculture Department and the legislative branch-marking one-fourth of the twelve spending bills Congress must pass each year. The Senate approved a package earlier this year, but negotiators are working on a version that could clear the House and, potentially, be attached to a continuing resolution to temporarily fund the rest of government."

A government shutdown is poised to become the longest in U.S. history after another failed vote will extend it into its 36th day. Bipartisan negotiations have produced slight progress toward ending the shutdown through a package combining three full-year appropriations bills and an accompanying stopgap continuing resolution to reopen the remainder of government until a to-be-determined date. The three appropriations would fund Veterans Affairs, Agriculture and the legislative branch, representing one-quarter of annual spending bills. Many details remain unresolved and negotiators are working to craft a version that can clear both chambers, with talks described as more productive but still challenging.

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